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Benjasiri Park's pool is nestled amidst the chaos of Sukhhumvit
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71 Sports Club, located on Thonglor’s Soi Khun Vichit (near the Khlong Tan intersection), boasts a 25m pool for 70 Baht (US$1.80) non-members and half that for members. Membership here is also 1,000 Baht (US$26) for the year. For those concerned with hygiene, 71 Sports Club is just a touch on the dingy side. Nawasri Place Apartments, off Ramkamhaeng Soi 21, can be difficult to find, but the nice 25m pool, flowers, (relatively) fresh air and 60 Baht (US$1.50) entrance fee are worth the trip. Member access is only 40 Baht (US$1.05) and memberships are 900 Baht (US$24) per year.
In the heart of Sukhumvit, Benjasiri Park offers a 25-metre pool, which is members-only and runs 15 Baht per session. Membership (with passport copy, two photos and a medical certificate) costs only 40 Baht for one year. The pool itself is nice, but the inside-the-park location is exceptional. Unfortunately the pool is only open from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
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Cheap fees and lots of space at 71 Sports Club
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For those who don’t require a full 25m, many hotels offer beautiful garden pools in the 15-20 metre range. Fees generally include use of both the pool and fitness centre. Particularly lovely are the JW Marriott’s gorgeous 17m pool with three heated jet/bubble pools (481 Baht/US$13 per day) and the lush garden setting surrounding the fantastic pool at the Sheraton Grande (550 Baht/US$14.50 per day).
Although they look great, not all the pools are conducive to lap swimming. The curved pool at the Amari Watergate’s Clark Hatch centre (400 Baht/US$10.50 day), the hexagonal pool at the Dusit Thani (321 Baht/US$8.50 day) and the steps running along the sides of the two pools at Imperial Queen’s Park (310 Baht/US$8 day), will frustrate serious swimmers. An alternative to the creatively designed pools is the 12.5m pool at the Landmark (300 Baht/US$8 day). It’s not long but it is straight and also boasts a heated whirlpool under a pretty gazebo.
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Float away the day at the Atlanta Hotel's pool - the oldest in Bangkok
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Cheaper hotel pools include the Ambassador’s 17m pool for 150 Baht/US$4 (300 Baht/US$8 for pool and fitness centre). Though the health club is somewhat faded, the jogging track and tropical bird aviary are nice touches.
The utterly charming and quirky Atlanta Hotel on Sukhumvit Soi 2 lays claim to having the oldest hotel pool in Thailand. At 17m and 107 Baht/US$3 per day, the pool offers inner tubes, artificial rain from sprinklers, hammocks, delicious and reasonably-priced food - and suspicious water quality. It’s possible the oldest pool also has the oldest filtering system!
Two hotel pools on the small end: Stable Lodge on Sukhumvit Soi 8 offers use of its 9.5m pool to anyone ordering food or drink from the restaurant. Most dishes and drinks run about 100-200 Baht (US$2.50-5.25). The pool at Silom Serene on Soi Phipat is a beautiful piece of architecture but, at 8.5 x 3.5m, is too small for serious swimming. Despite the size, it’s still a lovely place for a refreshing dip and the 150 Baht (US$4) daily fee for the pool (which includes the high quality fitness centre) is relatively cheap.
Many apartment buildings also offer pool access to non-residents. Just two examples: for 100 Baht (US$2.50), you can take a dip in the 12.5m pool at the delectably named Boss Tower on Rama 4 in Khlong Toey. For 300 Baht (US$8), you get a day at Oakwood City Residence’s 20m pool and fitness centre on Sathu Pradit.
Last, and definitely least, is Buddy Beer’s pool on Khao San Road. This 7 x 3 metre pool in an uninspiring setting charges desperate backpackers 100 Baht (US$2.50) to wallow in the crowded water and deck area. Unless mixing with bikini-clad Scandinavians or discussions of Koh Phangan are top priorities, this one certainly belongs last on the list.
For addresses and phone numbers, please visit our directories (Directory > Sports > Recreation or Directory > Accommodation > Other Available Hotels in Bangkok)
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